Friends of the South Downs: Protecting the South Downs for Future Generations

For more than 100 years, Friends of the South Downs has been dedicated to protecting, conserving and enhancing the South Downs National Park. As an independent charity, we work to safeguard the landscape, wildlife, heritage and public access across the South Downs, ensuring this nationally important landscape can be enjoyed by current and future generations. Our work focuses on four key areas: working with children and young people, improving access, planning and conservation, and nature recovery.

Working with Children and Young People

Inspiring the next generation is at the heart of our mission. Friends of the South Downs helps hundreds of children and young people experience the beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the South Downs National Park through fully funded outdoor learning opportunities, educational visits and residential stays. We work closely with schools, community organisations and education partners to ensure that young people, particularly those who may not otherwise have the opportunity, can connect with nature, develop a lifelong appreciation of the South Downs and become future custodians of this protected landscape.

Improving Access to the South Downs

Everyone should be able to enjoy the South Downs. We work with partners and volunteers to improve access across the National Park by supporting walking routes, replacing stiles with accessible gates, installing benches and helping to maintain footpaths and bridleways. Alongside an extensive programme of guided walks, our projects make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to experience the outstanding natural beauty, tranquillity and wildlife of the South Downs countryside.

Planning and Conservation

Protecting the South Downs from inappropriate development is one of our core responsibilities. Our experienced planning volunteers carefully monitor planning applications and planning policy both within and around the South Downs National Park. We work to ensure that new developments respect the landscape, biodiversity, heritage and special qualities that make the South Downs unique. By responding to planning proposals and contributing to local and national planning policies, we help conserve one of England’s most treasured protected landscapes.

Nature Recovery

Nature recovery is essential to restoring biodiversity across the South Downs. Friends of the South Downs funds and supports practical conservation projects that improve habitats, protect wildlife and strengthen the resilience of the National Park’s ecosystems. Our work includes restoring chalk grassland, improving river health, supporting sustainable grazing, monitoring water quality, managing habitats for species such as nightingales and working alongside conservation partners to help nature thrive. Through these projects, we are helping to create a healthier, more resilient South Downs where wildlife and people can flourish together.

Together, these four areas of work reflect our commitment to protecting the South Downs National Park through conservation, education, sustainable access and environmental stewardship. By supporting Friends of the South Downs, members, volunteers and donors play a vital role in preserving this iconic landscape, its wildlife, its heritage and its unique beauty for generations to come.

More to explore

Children & Young People

The Friends are investing heavily in helping children to get to know and appreciate the Downs.

Planning

We seek to ensure a robust planning policy framework and comment on planning applications both within and adjacent to the Park that have the potential to affect its special qualities to conserve and enhance the South Downs National Park.

Access

Work we are undertaking to encourage as many people as possible to access the Downs.

Nature Recovery

Wildlife has been depleted on the South Downs. The Friends share the view that we should do what we can to help nature recover.